Cultish

Cultish PDF Author: Amanda Montell
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062993178
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power. What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . . Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.

Cultish

Cultish PDF Author: Amanda Montell
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062993178
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Get Book

Book Description
The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power. What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . . Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.

Cults

Cults PDF Author: James R. Lewis
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317545125
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
Cults examines the history and current status of cults across the United States, Europe, and East Asia. Focusing on the principal controversial religions and movements that have attracted major media attention, the book also includes profiles of hundreds of minority religions, from Jesus People and Rastafarians to voodoo practitioners and the human-cloning Raelians. All the issues central to the practice and the fear of cults are examined - apocalypticism, deprogramming, social isolation, cults and the media, the use and threat of violence, child custody, libel, tax evasion, solicitation, and the techniques of persuasion and conviction - as are the many charismatic cult leaders. Cults presents a comprehensive and authoritative reference, offering a balanced view of the controversy surrounding these new religious movements, assessing the movements themselves as well as the legal and governmental responses to them, including attempts to quantify membership.

The Marks of a Cult

The Marks of a Cult PDF Author: Dave Breese
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
ISBN:
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
As their lies have spread throughout our culture, it has become clear that believers need to be armed for spiritual battle at every moment. Aimed at helping readers avoid spiritual tragedy, The Marks of a Cult explores the shared secrets behind all false religions.

The Cult of Trump

The Cult of Trump PDF Author: Steven Hassan
Publisher: Free Press
ISBN: 1982127341
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
A masterful and eye-opening examination of Trump and the coercive control tactics he uses to build a fanatical devotion in his supporters written by “an authority on breaking away from cults…an argument that…bears consideration as the next election cycle heats up” (Kirkus Reviews). Since the 2016 election, Donald Trump’s behavior has become both more disturbing and yet increasingly familiar. He relies on phrases like, “fake news,” “build the wall,” and continues to spread the divisive mentality of us-vs.-them. He lies constantly, has no conscience, never admits when he is wrong, and projects all of his shortcomings on to others. He has become more authoritarian, more outrageous, and yet many of his followers remain blindly devoted. Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert and a major Trump supporter, calls him one of the most persuasive people living. His need to squash alternate information and his insistence of constant ego stroking are all characteristics of other famous leaders—cult leaders. In The Cult of Trump, mind control and licensed mental health expert Steven Hassan draws parallels between our current president and people like Jim Jones, David Koresh, Ron Hubbard, and Sun Myung Moon, arguing that this presidency is in many ways like a destructive cult. He specifically details the ways in which people are influenced through an array of social psychology methods and how they become fiercely loyal and obedient. Hassan was a former “Moonie” himself, and he presents a “thoughtful and well-researched analysis of some of the most puzzling aspects of the current presidency, including the remarkable passivity of fellow Republicans [and] the gross pandering of many members of the press” (Thomas G. Gutheil, MD and professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School). The Cult of Trump is an accessible and in-depth analysis of the president, showing that under the right circumstances, even sane, rational, well-adjusted people can be persuaded to believe the most outrageous ideas. “This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the current political climate” (Judith Stevens-Long, PhD and author of Living Well, Dying Well).

Cults

Cults PDF Author: Marc Galanter
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0195123697
Category : Cults
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
Fifteen years of research inform this study of cults and cult behavior, an analysis that explores the psychology of cult member's minds, how cults operate, and the development of several specific cults.

Combatting Cult Mind Control

Combatting Cult Mind Control PDF Author: Steven Hassan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781855380257
Category : Cults
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
Describes the psychological techniques cults use to indoctrinate their members and discusses deprogramming.

Are You in a Cult?

Are You in a Cult? PDF Author: Alexandra James
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781729564905
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Book Description
Are you in a cult? If you think the answer is no, the next question is, are you sure? Understanding the trademarks of a cult, or of any abusive and overly controlling religion or other such group, can help someone on the inside know when it might be time to leave. Recognizing an abusive group for what it is can also help those who have already left break away mentally and emotionally, releasing the stranglehold that group has on them. Knowing the identifying factors of a cult can also help former members, or anyone on the outside, reach those in that group so they can finally be free. This short but informative book discusses common cult trademarks, including leaders who act like they're the adult while treating members as children, extremes in their requirements and punishments, the loaded language of cults, when the cult leader can do no wrong, and how cults often manipulate the emotions of their followers.

An Everyday Cult

An Everyday Cult PDF Author: Gerette Buglion
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781578690749
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
A personal memoir and a wake-up call for society to recognize and reject the erosion of critical thinking, An Everyday Cult is an essential read for understanding how people fall prey to mind control and cultic manipulation. Buglion's true-life story follows her through eighteen years under a trusted teacher's unethical tutelage and shows how her innocent quest for meaning was answered by a man who ultimately eroded her capacity for critical thinking. Through a treacherous narrative, she lays bare the hallmarks of cultic manipulation-mind control that flies under the radar of human awareness-and implores society to wake up to its ever-present abuses of power. It is a redemptive book of self-awareness and self-discovery. An Everyday Cult imparts a universal story, demonstrating how recognition of cultic membership-largely riddled with preconceived notions-may be an essential key to human evolution.

Cult Proofing Your Kids

Cult Proofing Your Kids PDF Author: Paul R. Martin
Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company
ISBN: 9780310537618
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
The first comprehensive psychological, social, and evangelical treatment of the growing and insidious cult problem. Martin provides evidence that our schools, families, and even our churches have facilitated the rise of cults and offers suggestions on how these institutions can develop cult education programs and assist in the healing of former members.

The Cult and Science of Public Health

The Cult and Science of Public Health PDF Author: Kevin Dew
Publisher: Berghahn Books
ISBN: 0857453394
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
In contemporary manifestations of public health rituals and events, people are being increasingly united around what they hold in common--their material being and humanity. As a cult of humanity, public health provides a moral force in society that replaces 'traditional' religions in times of great diversity or heterogeneity of peoples, activities and desires. This is in contrast to public health's foundation in science, particularly the science of epidemiology. The rigid rules of 'scientific evidence' used to determine the cause of illness and disease can work against the most vulnerable in society by putting sectors of the population, such as underrepresented workers, at a disadvantage. This study focuses on this tension between traditional science and the changing vision articulated within public health (and across many disciplines) that calls for a collective response to uncontrolled capitalism and unremitting globalization, and to the way in which health inequalities and their association with social inequalities provides a political rhetoric that calls for a new redistributive social programme. Drawing on decades of research, the author argues that public health is both a cult and a science of contemporary society.